Actuary Salary in Issaquah, WA: $142,287 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time actuary in Issaquah, WA earns a median $142,287/year (≈ $68.41/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-2011). Once you factor in Issaquah's price level (7% above national, BEA RPP 107.4), that paycheck buys what $132,483 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.2% below the Washington state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
With a 2026 median annual salary projected at $142,287, actuary compensation in Issaquah, WA, is notably competitive, especially when compared to the national median of $134,160. The salary range for actuaries in this area spans from $87,407 at the 10th percentile to $220,545 at the 90th percentile, reflecting a diverse landscape of roles in both consulting and insurance. Local estimates derived from BLS state-level data and regional price adjustments indicate that consulting firms like Milliman, Mercer, and WTW tend to offer more lucrative pay compared to traditional insurers at the Fellowship (FSA) level. As more professionals continue to pass exams and gain credentials, Issaquah's job market remains robust, driven by the demand for expertise in areas such as predictive analytics and data science.
About the Issaquah Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($132,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $87,407 | $42.02 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $106,660 | $51.28 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $142,287 | $68.41 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $181,501 | $87.26 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $220,545 | $106.03 |
Median Salary Position
6.06% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Issaquah
In Issaquah, WA, the actuary salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $133,138 (2026 est.). At $142,287, the local median is 6.06% above the national median of $134,160.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Issaquah: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Issaquah Actuary Pay Compares
Issaquah median: $142,287/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Issaquah Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Average | $144,015 | -1.20% less |
| National Average | $134,160 | +6.06% more |
Actuarys in Issaquah, WA earn a median of $142,287 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.06% higher than the national median of $134,160 and 1.20% below the Washington state average of $144,015.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Issaquah has a cost of living 7.40% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Issaquah, WA has a cost-of-living index of 107.4 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $142,287 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $132,483 — a 6.89% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$114,914
2025 BLS Actual
$137,875
2026 Current Est.
$142,287
2019–2027 Growth
+27.8%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Issaquah (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $114,914 | Actual |
| 2020 | $117,756 | Actual |
| 2021 | $112,315 | Actual |
| 2022 | $120,895 | Actual |
| 2023 | $127,269 | Actual |
| 2024 | $139,996 | Actual |
| 2025 | $137,875 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $142,287 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $146,840 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Issaquah metropolitan area, the median actuary salary grew 20.0% from $114,914 (2019) to $137,875 (2025). At a 3.20% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $146,840 by 2027 — a total increase of $31,926 (27.78%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Issaquah metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 3.20% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $87,407 – $106,660 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $106,660 – $142,287 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $142,287 – $181,501 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $181,501 – $220,545 |
ASA, FSA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual actuary compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Actuary Job Market in Issaquah
In terms of job opportunities, only nine actuaries are currently employed in Issaquah, which underscores a tight-knit professional community actively seeking skilled talent. The cost of living index in the area sits at 107.4, indicating that while salaries are competitive, living expenses do pose a challenge for take-home purchasing power. For actuaries, employers offering higher salaries include major life insurance firms like Prudential and MetLife, alongside health insurance giants such as UnitedHealth and Cigna. The disparity in pay often results from factors like exam progression, where each passed exam can add significantly to a base salary, and the differentiation between specialties, with property and casualty consulting often yielding higher compensation than life or health sectors. To maximize earning potential in Issaquah, aspiring actuaries should focus on advancing through the ASA-to-FSA timeline efficiently and seek roles in consulting, where the pay gradient typically rewards credentialed professionals handsomely.
More salary data for Issaquah, WA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Maria Chen, FSA, MAAA
Career Analyst
Maria has 10 years of experience in life insurance. She specializes in risk assessment and pricing strategies.
Methodology & Data Source
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $137,875 for actuariesin the Issaquah metropolitan area. A 3.20% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Issaquah is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.20%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for actuarys (SOC 15-2011).
Compiled and verified by Maria Chen, FSA, MAAA, a licensed actuary with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov